An Oireachtas Committee has heard that there is a delay in drafting a proposed new law that deals with a ban on non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual harassment.
This measure is to be included in the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill.
Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman told the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that there were delays in drafting the section of the Bill dealing with NDAs.
He was pressed by several committee members to explain the nature of the difficulties causing the delays.
The Minister said the issue was primarily one of time and resources to get a fully stamped draft bill covering three distinct areas within a tight period of time.
Therefore, he said, he made a decision to bring in the NDA element in a committee stage amendment
The legislation will amend the Equality Employment Act to say that an employer shall not enter an NDA with an employee where the employee has made allegations of discrimination, harassment or sexual harassment.
The legislation follows a Private Members Bill from Senator Lynn Ruane on the same issue.
The new Bill will also provide for maternity leave be deferred in cases of serious physical or mental illness.
And it will introduce a statutory entitlement for members of the Oireachtas to take maternity leave.
